UF anesthesiology residents win four awards at GAARRC 2022

Our residents took home four out of six total awards at the 46th annual Gulf Atlantic Anesthesia Residents’ Research Conference (GAARRC) hosted by the Mayo Clinic from April 8-10.

The department sent six residents to the conference and took home first place in the original research category and first, second, and third place in the case report category.

Our winners at G-A-A-R-R-C

GAARRC offers residents from across the Gulf Atlantic region the opportunity to present their research to a supportive, interactive audience of their peers. Residents learn how to summarize a case report, original research or literature review in a 10-minute focused, detailed presentation. Many residents develop their first research paper out of work they presented at GAARRC.

Doctor Quade presenting at G-A-A-R-R-C

The conference was held this year at One Ocean Resort and Spa in Atlantic Beach, Florida. Because of the pandemic, it was the first time the event has been held since UF hosted it in 2019.

Basma Mohamed, MBChB, assistant professor of anesthesiology and the faculty lead for the conference, said this year’s event provided an outstanding learning opportunity.

“The residents worked hard through different milestones,” she said. “They worked hard on their presentations, practiced with faculty and used the feedback to modify their presentations, which resulted in excellent outcomes.”

Nick Rahn, M.D., CA-2, won first place in the original research category for his presentation titled “First do no harm … to the patient and the environment!” He credited Lauren Berkow, M.D., FASA, professor of anesthesiology and chief of the Division of Neuroanesthesia, for her continued work on sustainability. Berkow, who is also director of anesthesia supplies and equipment, serves as co-chair of the UF Health Sustainability Committee.

“This award means so much for us as it validates the work we are doing for environmental sustainability in the operating room,” Rahn said. “Education and repetition are key, and this award demonstrates the impact we can make on other programs and departments in promoting the same goal.” 

Shahrukh Bengali, M.D., CA-2, won first place in the case reports category for a collaboration with Barys Ihnatsenka, M.D., associate professor of anesthesiology, and Asad Bashir, MBBS, CA-1. Their report described a complex peripheral nerve sheath tumor resection in a Jehovah’s Witness patient.

“This award is a testament to the challenging medical conditions and high-acuity patients we are privileged to care for here at the University of Florida and the mentorship we receive in navigating this opportunity,” Bengali said.

Congratulations to our residents who participated and thanks to the faculty mentors and Education Office for their support and hard work!

Learn more about our residency program

UF Winners

Case Reports

First Place

Shahrukh Bengali, M.D., CA-2: “Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the brachial plexus in a Jehovah’s Witness patient”

Second Place

Bobby Hutnik, M.D., intern: “Airway management of a patient with linear IgA bullous dermatosis”

Third Place

Patrick Quade, M.D., CA-3: “Can prehabilitation reverse frailty in spine surgery patients?”

Original Research

First Place

Nick Rahn, M.D., CA-2: “First do no harm … to the patient and the environment!”

Other UF Presenters

Matt Frakes, D.O., CA-2: “Endoscopic removal of fractured nasoenteric tube in ICU patient” (case report)

James Fleming, M.D., CA-3: “Endoscopic interlaminar decompression of L5-S1 paracentral disc herniation and traversing S1 nerve root” (case report)